Amphitryon in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Amphitryon

30 passages from 7 ancient authors that tell of Amphitryon, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Amphitryon was the son of Alcaeus in Greek mythology, king of Tiryns. He was a general in Thebes, who married Alcmene, daughter of Electryon, king of ... For the story in one place, read our article on Amphitryon.

Hesiod (3)

Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 1–74Alcmena and the birth of Heracles; Cycnus (1-74)The poem opens with Alcmena, the beautiful and faithful daughter of Electryon, whose husband Amphitryon had come to Thebes after killing her father and could not lie with her until he had avenged her brothers on the Taphians and Teleboans. While he is away, Zeus visits her by night and Amphitryon returns the same night, so that she bears twin sons, Heracles to Zeus and Iphicles to Amphitryon. The poem then turns to Heracles' fight with Cycnus, son of Ares, whom he met in the precinct of Apollo.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 400–480Heracles kills Cycnus and wounds Ares (400-480)Heracles drives his spear into Cycnus's neck between helmet and shield, and he falls like a lightning-struck oak. Ares attacks next, and although Athena tells him to stop, he is wounded in the thigh and cast down, and Panic and Dread carry him to Olympus. Heracles and Iolaus strip Cycnus's armour and go to Trachis, where Ceyx buries him, but Anaurus, swollen by rain at Apollo's command, washes the grave away.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 75–149Heracles and Iolaus arm for battle (75-149)Heracles tells his charioteer Iolaus how Amphitryon came to Thebes after killing Electryon over oxen, and how Iolaus's father lost his senses through Zeus and went to serve the wicked Eurystheus. He bids Iolaus drive straight at Ares, who is raging in Apollo's grove, and Iolaus answers with encouragement. Heracles then arms himself with greaves from Hephaestus, a breastplate from Athena, a quiver, a spear and a helm, and takes up the shield, which has Fear in adamant at its centre with Strife above his brow.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.6–12Amphitryon, Alcmene and the youth of HeraclesElectryon's sons are killed in a cattle raid by the Taphians, and Amphitryon accidentally kills Electryon and takes refuge at Thebes, where he wins the Teleboan war with the help of Cephalus's dog. Zeus lies with Alcmene in Amphitryon's likeness and she bears Heracles and Iphicles; the infant Heracles strangles the serpents Hera sends. Heracles is taught by several masters, kills the lion of Cithaeron after fathering children by Thespius's fifty daughters, and defeats the Minyans of Erginus. Hera then drives him mad and he kills his children, and the Pythia at Delphi names him Heracles and sends him to serve Eurystheus.

Pindar (5)

Pindar, Pythian Odes 9.1–125Pythian 9: for Telesicrates — Cyrene and ApolloPindar praises Telesicrates of Cyrene, victor in the race in armour, and tells how Apollo fell in love with the nymph Cyrene, daughter of Hypseus, who wrestled with lions, and asked Cheiron whether he might take her. Cheiron foretells that Apollo will bring her to Libya, where she will bear Aristaeus, whom Hermes will entrust to Gaia and the Horae. The ode ends with the victories of Telesicrates' family and the stories of Danaüs, who married off his daughters by a race, and of the Libyan bride, the daughter of Antaeus, won in a race.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 1.1–72Nemean 1: for Chromius — Ortygia and the infant HeraclesPindar greets Ortygia, the cradle of Syracuse, and praises Chromius of Aetna, victor with the chariot, for his wealth and hospitality, recalling Zeus' gift of Sicily to Persephone. He tells how the infant Heracles strangled the two serpents sent by Hera, while Amphitryon and the Cadmeans hastened in, and how Teiresias foretold his labours against monsters and giants and his marriage to Hebe.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 10.1–90Nemean 10: for Theaeus — Castor and PolydeucesPindar praises Argos, the city of Danaüs and Hera, and its famous heroes, among them Proetus, and the victories of Theaeus in wrestling. He tells how Idas killed Castor in a quarrel over cattle, how Polydeuces prayed to Zeus to die with his brother, and how Zeus allowed them to share their fate by living alternately under the earth and on Olympus.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 1.1–68Isthmian 1: for Herodotus — Thebes, Castor and IolaüsPindar tells his native Thebes that her call outweighs his other tasks and praises Herodotus of Thebes, who drove his own chariot, comparing him to Castor and Iolaüs, the best of charioteers. He recalls Herodotus' father Asopodorus and the family's ties with Orchomenus, and calls on Poseidon, the sons of Amphitryon, the Minyae, Eleusis and Euboea, adding Protesilaus at Phylace. He ends by warning that a man who hoards wealth and oppresses others dies without glory.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 7.1–51Isthmian 7: for Strepsiades — the glories of ThebesPindar asks Thebe which of her ancient glories pleased her most: the birth of Dionysus, the begetting of Heracles, the counsels of Teiresias, the horseman Iolaüs, the dragon-brood, the return of Adrastus to Argos, or the colony of the Aegeidae at Amyclae. He says that old glory sleeps unless it is sung, and praises Strepsiades of Thebes, victor in the pancratium, and his uncle who died in the van of the Theban army. He ends with a prayer to Apollo for a crown from Pytho.

Euripides (16)

Euripides, Heracles 1088–1145Exodos: Heracles wakes and learns what he has doneHeracles wakes, not knowing where he is, and is bewildered to find himself bound among bodies, and asks his father what has happened. Amphitryon at first cannot tell him, but at last, urged on by Heracles, says that he has killed his children, and Heracles learns what he has done.
Euripides, Heracles 1016–1087Exodos: the Chorus and Amphitryon watch over the sleeping HeraclesThe Chorus says that even the murders by the daughters of Danaus were less terrible than this deed. The aged Amphitryon, like a mother bird mourning her unfledged brood, comes out and begs the Chorus to be silent while Heracles sleeps, bound with cords to the pillar, and fears that if he wakes he will kill his father too.
Euripides, Heracles 701–748Third episode: Lycus returns and is lured into the houseLycus comes and tells Amphitryon that he has been a long time in the palace decking out himself and the others in the robes of the dead, and asks for Megara and the children. Amphitryon answers him with bitterness, and says that Lycus may go his way, and warns him that he will find trouble himself. The Chorus says that the evil has changed sides and that a mighty king is going back to Hades, and Lycus is heard crying out within the house.
Euripides, Heracles 1146–1202Exodos: Heracles wishes to die as Theseus arrivesHeracles asks why he should spare his own life, being the murderer of his children, and speaks of leaping from a rock or of piercing his own breast with a sword. He sees Theseus coming with his army, and veils his head, saying that he does not want to bring his pollution on his friend.
Euripides, Heracles 60–106Prologue: Megara and Amphitryon despairMegara says how uncertain the gods' dealings with men are, and asks what plan Amphitryon has, since they have no food and no friends and are guarded. Amphitryon answers that it is not easy to give advice offhand, and that Heracles may yet arrive; Megara asks if he still clings to life, and Amphitryon tells her to wipe away her tears and to hope.
Euripides, Heracles 610–636Second episode: Heracles tells of his return from HadesAmphitryon asks whether it is true that Heracles went to the house of Hades, and whether the monster is lodged in the house of Eurystheus, who does not know that he has returned. Heracles says that he stayed to try to bring Theseus back from Hades, and that Theseus has gone to Athens. He tells the children to come into the house with him, and says that all men love their children.
Euripides, Heracles 1394–1428Exodos: Heracles leaves for Athens with TheseusTheseus tells him to rise, since he has had his fill of tears, and offers his arm as a guide. Heracles asks his father to bury the children, and says that he will follow Theseus to Athens like a little boat in the wake of a ship, and bids Amphitryon farewell; the Chorus leaves in tears, having lost its friend.
Euripides, Heracles 275–347First episode: Megara and Amphitryon accept death; the robes of the deadMegara thanks the old men, but tells them not to anger the king on their account, saying that what must be, no one will avoid. Amphitryon says that it is not cowardice that keeps him from dying, but his wish to save his son's children, though he may be longing for the impossible, and he tells Lycus that he may do as he likes. Megara asks for one more favour, that she may dress her children in the robes of the dead, and Lycus agrees, saying that he will come back to consign them to the world below, while Amphitryon reproaches Zeus for being less of a friend than a mortal.
Euripides, Heracles 875–921Fourth choral song; cries from within as Heracles kills his childrenThe Chorus laments that the son of Zeus, flower of the city, is being cut down, and that Hellas will cast out her benefactor. Amphitryon's cries are heard from the house, calling to the children to fly, the Chorus hears the roof falling, and Heracles' voice cries out to Pallas. A Messenger comes out to say that the children are dead, and the Chorus asks him to tell how it happened.
Euripides, Heracles 1–59Prologue: Amphitryon explains the plight of Heracles' familyAmphitryon, who shared a wife with Zeus and is the father of Heracles, tells how he came to Thebes, where Creon gave his daughter Megara to Heracles. He says that Heracles has gone to Hades to bring back the hound of hell, and that in his absence Lycus has killed Creon and seized power, and that he now threatens to kill Megara, her sons and Amphitryon, who sit as suppliants at the altar of Zeus the Saviour.
Euripides, Heracles 497–522Second episode: Heracles appears before the familyAmphitryon tells Megara to prepare the funeral rites, and prays to Zeus to help the children if he means to do so. He bids the old men farewell, saying that fortune has robbed him of his fame in a single day. Megara sees a figure and asks if it is her husband risen from beneath the earth, and Amphitryon is struck dumb, and Megara tells the children to cling to their father's robe.
Euripides, Heracles 562–609Second episode: Heracles resolves on vengeance against LycusHeracles tells them to cast away the chaplets of death and look up to the light, and says that he will go and kill the new ruler of the land, and that he will not be called a weakling. Amphitryon tells him that the king has many allies, rich in pretence, and warns him against rousing the city by attacking in daylight, and Heracles says that he came in secretly because he saw a bird in an unlucky position.

4 more passages of Euripides that name Amphitryon

Theocritus (3)

Theocritus, Idylls 24.1–140Idyll 24: The infant HeraclesAlcmena lulls Heracles and Iphicles to sleep, but at midnight two snakes sent by Hera crawl into the room. Alcmena wakes and calls Amphitryon, who hurries in with armed servants and finds the child Heracles clutching both snakes. Tiresias is called and foretells the labours of Heracles, and the poem ends with the boy's upbringing and training.
Theocritus, Idylls 13.1–75Idyll 13: HylasThe poet tells Nicias that Love was not first born for them, for Heracles, who killed the lion, loved the boy Hylas. When the Argo stops, Hylas goes to fetch water and the nymphs of the spring draw him in. Heracles searches for him in a fury, and the Argo sails without him.
Theocritus, Idylls 25.1–137Idyll 25: Heracles at the farm of AugeasHeracles, in his lion's skin, is answered by an old husbandman of the estate of Augeas, who tells him about the lands and the work there and asks whom he has come to find. Augeas' son Phyleus leads him to the farm, where the dogs, the stalls and the countless herds of cattle and sheep are shown.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.8.1–4.10.7Heracles: birth and early deedsThe historian begins with the difficulty of reporting Heracles' deeds worthily and with the claim that myth should not be scrutinised too sharply. He traces the hero's descent from Perseus and Zeus, tells how Hera delays the birth of Heracles so that Eurystheus is born first, and how Heracles as a baby strangles the two serpents she sends. As a young man he frees Thebes from the tribute owed to Erginus king of the Minyans, kills Erginus, burns the palace of the Minyans and razes the city of the Orchomenians, and marries Megara, daughter of Creon.

Bacchylides (1)

Bacchylides, Epinicians (Odes of Victory) 5.1–200Ode 5: Heracles meets Meleager in HadesThe poet sends Hieron a song and compares his own flight to the eagle's, celebrating the victory of the chestnut horse Pherenicus at Olympia and at Pytho. He tells how Heracles went down to Hades for the hound of Hades, saw the shade of Meleager and drew his bow, but was told there was nothing to fear. Meleager tells of the Calydonian boar sent by Artemis, of the quarrel over its hide, and of the brand burned by his mother Althaea that ended his life. Moved to tears, Heracles asks about a sister he might marry, and Meleager names Deianeira; the ode ends with praise of Hieron and a prayer to Zeus.